Grandparent urges board to oppose Ohio bills she says would expose student immigration data

Lori Reer, identifying herself as a Columbus City Schools grandparent, urged the board to pass a resolution opposing two pieces of Ohio legislation. Reer said House Bill 42 would require public schools to collect and report students' citizenship and immigration information and that such information could be provided to federal authorities. "That is not the role of our schools," she said, arguing the bill could put children and families at risk and discourage families from enrolling their children.

Reer also called attention to Senate Bill 172, which she said contains broad language enabling immigration enforcement activities on school campuses and at school events. "They can show up at the basketball game," she said, describing the bill's potential reach and saying expanded enforcement would undermine due process and discourage victims and witnesses from engaging with public systems.

The board did not take a formal vote on a district resolution during the meeting. The transcript records Reer's public comment and her request that the board "stand firmly for student safety, equal access to education, and for the principle that our schools must remain places of learning, not enforcement." There is no recorded administration response opposing or endorsing the bills in the meeting transcript beyond Reer's request for the board to act.

Because Reer's remarks were in public comment, they do not constitute a board action. Any formal board position would require a separate agenda item, formal motion, and vote.